The Way of Five Elements
五行：一曰水，二曰火，三曰木，四曰金，五曰土。水曰润下，火曰炎上，木曰曲直，金曰从革，土曰稼穑。
The Five Elements: First is Water, second is Fire, third is Wood, fourth is Metal, fifth is Earth. Water moistens and descends, Fire flames and ascends, Wood bends and straightens, Metal yields and changes, Earth receives seeds and yields harvest.
—— 《尚书·洪范》Book of Documents - Great Plan
What are the Five Elements?
五行是中国古代哲学的重要概念，用木、火、土、金、水五种物质来描述宇宙万物的构成与变化规律。 五行不仅是五种物质，更代表五种运动方式、五种能量状态。它们相互滋生（相生）、相互制约（相克）， 维持着宇宙的动态平衡。
The Five Elements (Wu Xing) is a fundamental concept in ancient Chinese philosophy, using Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water to describe the composition and transformation of all things in the universe. They are not merely five substances, but represent five types of movement and energy states. They nurture (generate) and restrain (control) each other, maintaining the dynamic balance of the cosmos.
The Five Elements in Detail
曲直 · 东方 · 春季
木代表生长、扩张和灵活。如同树木和植物，它象征向上向外的运动、活力和生命周期的开始。
Wood represents growth, expansion, and flexibility. Like trees and plants, it symbolizes upward and outward movement, vitality, and the beginning of life cycles.
炎上 · 南方 · 夏季
火代表转化、扩张和温暖。它象征活动的顶峰、热情以及照亮和转化的力量。
Fire represents transformation, expansion, and warmth. It symbolizes the peak of activity, passion, and the power to illuminate and transform.
稼穑 · 中方 · 长夏季
土代表稳定、滋养和居中。它是支撑所有其他元素的基础，象征平衡、扎根和转化。
Earth represents stability, nourishment, and centering. It is the foundation that supports all other elements and symbolizes balance, grounding, and transformation.
从革 · 西方 · 秋季
金代表收敛、精确和清晰。它象征收获、组织以及切割和净化的能力。
Metal represents contraction, precision, and clarity. It symbolizes harvest, organization, and the ability to cut through and purify.
润下 · 北方 · 冬季
水代表储藏、内省和智慧。它象征潜在能量、适应性以及滋养和溶解的力量。
Water represents storage, introspection, and wisdom. It symbolizes potential energy, adaptability, and the power to nourish and dissolve.
Generation and Control Cycles
Generation Cycle
五行相生是指五种元素之间互相滋生、促进的关系。木生火、火生土、土生金、金生水、水生木，形成一个循环。
The Generation Cycle describes how the Five Elements nurture and promote each other. Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth (ash), Earth bears Metal, Metal enriches Water (minerals), Water nourishes Wood.
Control Cycle
五行相克是指五种元素之间互相制约、抑制的关系。木克土、土克水、水克火、火克金、金克木，维持平衡。
The Control Cycle describes how the Five Elements restrain and balance each other. Wood parts Earth, Earth absorbs Water, Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal, Metal chops Wood.
Imbalance: Overcontrol and Counter-control
Overcontrol
相乘是相克太过。当一行过强或被克一行过弱时，克制力量过度，造成被克者受损。如木乘土，木太旺而土被过度克伐。
Overcontrol occurs when the controlling element is too strong or the controlled element is too weak, causing excessive restraint and damage.
「例如：木旺乘土，肝气过盛导致脾胃不和。」
Counter-control (Insult)
相侮是反克。当被克一行反过来克制本应克它的一行。如土侮木，土太强而反克木。这是五行失衡的表现。
Counter-control (insult) occurs when the element that should be controlled becomes too strong and reverses the control direction, indicating imbalance.
「例如：土侮木，脾土过盛反克肝木。」
Five Elements Correspondences
| 属性 | 木 | 火 | 土 | 金 | 水 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 性质 | 曲直 | 炎上 | 稼穑 | 从革 | 润下 |
| 方位 | 东 | 南 | 中 | 西 | 北 |
| 季节 | 春 | 夏 | 长夏 | 秋 | 冬 |
| 颜色 | 青 | 赤 | 黄 | 白 | 黑 |
| 脏腑 | 肝/胆 | 心/小肠 | 脾/胃 | 肺/大肠 | 肾/膀胱 |
| 情志 | 怒 | 喜 | 思 | 悲 | 恐 |
| 味道 | 酸 | 苦 | 甘 | 辛 | 咸 |
| 星宿 | 木星(岁星) | 火星(荧惑) | 土星(镇星) | 金星(太白) | 水星(辰星) |